Commencement Information for Graduates

Attention Graduates

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. Please carefully read the following information about your graduation ceremonies. If you have questions you may come to the Office of College Relations (Room 414, Lentz Hall) between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday and we'll be able to answer your questions and assist you in any way we can.

Did you miss Graduation Gear Up?

If you were not able to attend Graduation Gear-up you must take the initiative to pay the $20 fee and order your cap and gown in the Office of College Relations after March 14 and before May 1, 2009 or you are not assured of receiving them. You will be required to pay a $20 fee in order to pick up your cap and gown. Please come prepared with cash or check. We do not accept credit cards. Those who order a cap and gown during this period may pick them up in the Lentz Hall mailroom May 11 - 15 (between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6 p.m.) and May 18 - 22 (between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.).

Alumni Office Information Survey:
You were mailed an Alumni Office information survey. It is to be completed and dropped off in the Office of College Relations, Lentz 414. You must turn this in to receive your graduation tickets.

Friday, May 22

New Alumni Convocation and Promenade Dinner (faculty, trustees, graduates)
This is a private program and dinner for graduates hosted by Carthage trustees and faculty. Graduates are invited to bring one guest. You will receive a formal invitation and reply card closer to the date of the event.

4:30 p.m. New Alumni Convocation, A. F. Siebert Chapel

Graduate Promenade Dinner, Hedberg Library

Saturday, May 23

Graduation Practice (graduates)
11 a.m. N. E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center (TARC), Field House

Sunday, May 24

Baccalaureate
10:15 a.m. Baccalaureate Line-up, (Tarble Arena)
11 a.m. Baccalaureate, A. F. Siebert Chapel

Commencement
2:15 p.m. Commencement Line-up (Tarble Arena)
3 p.m. Commencement, TARC, Field House

Post-Commencement Reception
Immediately following Commencement, Todd Wehr Center

Candidacy for Graduation:
Contact the Registrar's Office if you have questions about the specific requirements for advancing your graduation candidacy. Also, if you have questions concerning tuition or other payments you must talk with a representative in the Business Office. No one is allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony until the Registrar and Business Office have released his/her name to our office.

Commencement Practice:
Graduates are to assemble at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 23 in the TARC Field House for practice.

Baccalaureate:
Baccalaureate is a late morning worship service during which one of the College's honorary degree recipients offers a farewell address to the graduates.

Graduates, faculty, trustees and honorary degree recipients are seated on the main floor of the Chapel. Family and friends are seated in the balcony. There is limited seating on the main floor for those persons who cannot climb the stairs to the balconies. The Chapel does not have an elevator.

Commencement:
The Commencement ceremony includes the presentation of special awards, honorary degrees, and bachelor and master degrees.

We invite and encourage your attendance at both Baccalaureate and Commencement.
Please note that the wearing of stoles, scarves, sashes, and cords during the 2009 Commencement ceremonies is restricted to all-college and academic honoraries, including departmental or disciplinary honor societies. These would include Alpha Lamda Delta, Alpha Chi, ODK, and All-College Honors. Service groups, Greek organizations and other organizations will be allowed to wear pins or badges, if they wish.
You may not have anyone accompany you across the stage to receive your diploma.
Tickets
We encourage you to invite your family and friends to your graduation, however due to a record breaking class size and limited space in the TARC Field House this event will require tickets. Each graduate will receive five (5) tickets when he/she completes the survey and pays the $20 cap and gown fee in the College Relations office. You may request additional tickets and approximately ten (10) days before the ceremonies we will distribute any remaining tickets. Please do not count on any additional tickets. If you lose your tickets you are not guaranteed replacement tickets so please be sure to store the tickets in a safe place.

Overflow Seating
If you have more than five (5) guests who wish to join you on campus for your Commencement ceremony there will be a live video feed in A. F. Siebert Chapel to accommodate persons without tickets for the TARC. There will be a large screen with audio on the Chapel's main floor. Doors to the Chapel open at 12 noon. The facility is air conditioned with easily accessible restrooms. This is a very good option for people with small children, those who find it difficult to sit for long periods of time, and those who do not wish to deal with a large crowd.
Seating
The seats in the TARC are not reserved and are filled on a first come, first seated basis. The TARC will open at noon; however entrance into the Field House will be restricted until 1:30 p.m. Large video screens help to ensure everyone will be able to see the Commencement ceremony.
Restrooms
The Field House is located on the third level of the TARC. There are no restrooms available in the Field House. The closest restrooms are one flight below. For persons who cannot manage the stairs there is an elevator and staff assistance available.
Special Needs Seats
A space is reserved at the front of the room for persons in wheelchairs or who cannot stand, however only one other member of your party may accompany each person requiring seating in this area. There is a lot of standing that occurs during the ceremony. Guests in wheelchairs may wish to arrive early to ensure they have a front row seat so they may see all the activities during the ceremony.
TARC Hours
The TARC will open at noon; however entrance into the Field House will be restricted until 1:30 p.m.

Parking

Parking on campus is very limited. We suggest arriving early to find parking on or near campus. There will be a shuttle service on campus from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Parking for Commencement is available in Lots A, C, D, E, H, I, N, P, and V. Lot P is located at 912 35th Street, Kenosha. (Lot P shuttle service provided from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)

Handicapped Access and Parking
There are a limited number of handicapped parking spaces on campus however, you may drop off and pick up guests who need assistance walking, at the TARC's south entrance, located by the football field, or north entrance located by Parking Lot I. There are a limited number of handicapped parking spaces located near both of these entrances.

The College offers van and gof cart shuttles throughout the day. One of the vans accomodates wheelchairs. Students driving the shuttles are prepared to assist guests.

Food and Beverages

The Dining Commons in the TWC will be open for students and guests from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students with food plans may use their plans; others may purchase tickets in the TWC Office for $8 per meal for adults, $4 per meal for children under ten (10), and children under four (4) may eat for free.
Einstein Bros. Bagels and Frëshens located in Donna's Bytes on the Hedberg Library main floor will be open on Sunday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Grilled hamburgers and brats, beverages, cookies and chips will be available from noon - 2 p.m. in a marquee located on the north side of Hedberg Library.
The TARC concession stand, located on the main level of the building (one floor down from the Field House), will be open from noon to 2:30 p.m. and reopen at 3:30 p.m. In addition to food and drink items, flowers will be sold at the concession stand.

NOTE: Graduates are responsible for communicating information about their graduation ceremonies to their family and friends.

Please call Mardell Fisher or Elaine Walton at 551-5705, or drop by the Office of College Relations, Lentz Hall, Room 414 with questions.